Gajin Fujita (b. 1972)," Golden Boy After Kuniyoshi," 2011, gold leaf, platinum leaf, and silver leaf with spraypaint (Lent by a private collection)
Gajin Fujita: “Ukiyo-e” in Contemporary Painting
Focus Gallery
April 20 through October 7, 2012
Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Gajin Fujita’s (born 1972) panel paintings are rendered with materials frequently used in graffiti and street art. His range of experience gives him the versatility to move among several worlds simultaneously.
It is through his unique approach that references to Japanese woodblock prints or ukiyo-e (“picture of the floating world”) materialize, and convey a singular mix of wry humor, cultural connection and respect for technique.
In this his solo museum exhibition, a range of Fujita’s recent works will share these qualities and open interesting points of comparison and conversation between these panel works and the 19th century’s famous Yoshitoshi woodblock prints (Masterpieces of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, May 18 through Aug. 12) on view in the adjacent galleries.
A range of programs accompany this exhibition includes a curator’s tour with Bridget Bray on April 28 at 2 p.m.